Mark's 24th Birthday Fundraiser for Hope International

Hope International is a Christian faith-based, non-profit organization focused on alleviating physical and spiritual poverty through microfinance in 14 countries around the world. HOPE works to empower men, women, and families to break cycles of poverty through the provision of loans, savings services, business training, mentoring, and discipleship.

While I have not had an opportunity to work directly for HOPE, I did have the privilege last summer to work in collaboration with them in their microfinance work in East Asia during a microfinance missions trip I took in May - June 2009.

Since then, I have kept up with HOPE's work as well with some of the friends I have made there, and also helped out with a recent event of theirs in NYC. Given my business background and interest in entrepreneurship, I believe that microfinance is an incredible way to aid those in need while providing them an opportunity to bring their families sustainable income, instead of just handouts.

Please watch the HOPE Haiti video above to see some examples of how your contributions can make a difference, and click over to the right hand side to donate!